African-American women are running to be judicial candidates in Harris County Texas. They met for their first time on January 18 at a Democratic Party get together. They were willing to run if they had the opportunity. Although their candidacies might surprise you, they are all capable. You will learn why they are the most qualified candidates to fill the Harris County judgeship vacancies. But first, you need to understand who these women are.
Women judges
Harris County voters elected 19 African-American women as judges in 2018. Many of these new Judges met for the very first time at an event hosted by the Democratic Party. The women hope that their presence at the courtroom will reduce racial inequalities. Women judges have the unique opportunity of making a difference in people's lives. They set the tone and make sure hearings are fair.
In the midst of the gloomy news, the Connecticut Trans-Advocacy Coalition applauded the election of 19 black women to Harris County's Criminal Court at Law No. 12. The women were part of the "Black Girl Magic" campaign. All the women featured in the ad campaign were Harris County judges. Two of them lost their bids for the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Both women kept their current jobs as judges but they included the voices from their peers in campaigns.
Pandemic-induced frustrations
The list of inmates facing court proceedings in Harris County is long, and most of them are facing violent charges. In certain cases, the county has placed an inmate's case on hold. However, elected officials from the county and the state were open to the possibility of releasing inmates to help stop the spread the pandemic virus. A virtual court hearing revealed that only seven of 60 inmates had been freed from their cases.
A recent pandemic has also caused a surge in criminal cases. Many criminal cases were stopped for months by the pandemic, which forced county courts to find safe ways to hold trials. The pandemic saw an increase in COVID cases by 35% in Harris County, which caused even more delays.
Backlog of felonies in progress
According to Harris County's District Attorney's Office of Harris County the county has accumulated a backlog of incoming felonies. The backlog now exceeds 135,000 cases, and it has been there for almost five years. This number is more than you would expect considering the impacts of Hurricane Harvey, COVID-19 and other pandemics. The backlog is expected reduce, but The Forward Times intends to continue investigating how law enforcement agencies collaborate with the courts as well as how much money is being spent to clear it.
In an effort to reduce the backlog, Harris County leaders approved a resolution calling on the Texas Legislature to create another district criminal court. Local prosecutors have been stretched by the backlog. Kim Ogg, the District Attorney of Kim Ogg stated that her office is prioritizing cases involving violent criminals. District Attorney Jose Hidalgo called the backlog "an emergency situation."
Education of judges
Despite the recent spike in homicides the area has yet not seen major reforms to its criminal justice system. Harris County judges are trying to improve the system for its residents. In January, Judge Holly Williamson was elected the county's Justice of Peace. Prior to this, she was a federal, state, district, and JP judge. With a budget of more than 1.3 million dollars, she oversees over 20,000 cases per year, including civil and criminal matters, bench and jury trials, traffic offenses, hot check and probable cause hearings, and truancy court.
Judge Jackson was a mentor for at risk youths, and is involved in numerous community service organizations. She has been a Houston Chapter of Links, Inc. member since childhood, and she is the chair of the Services to Youth program. She is also a member of Lakewood Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
FAQ
What's the difference between a paralegal or a legal assistant?
Paralegals have specific skills such as research, filing and typing. Attorneys might need legal assistants to prepare pleadings or drafting motions. These professionals are essential for attorneys to be able to finish their work.
What is the average salary of lawyers?
No. Lawyers often earn less than doctors and dentists, engineers or architects, teachers, nurses, accountants and pharmacists, and veterinarians. Lawyers average $55,000 annually.
What is the average time it takes to become a lawyer.
The truth is that it's not as straightforward as you might think. It is important to continue studying for at least four years after graduation. However, there are many other factors.
To be admitted to law school, you will need to pass the exams. After graduation, you will continue your studies in law for another two years.
After all that, you will be able to graduate from law school. You can then return to college for one more year to prepare for the bar exam. You are now a licensed attorney if you pass this exam.
Statistics
- Just 59.2 percent of 2015 law school grads held full-time, long-term jobs as lawyers 10 months after graduation, according to data from the American Bar Association (ABA). (rasmussen.edu)
- According to the Law School Admission Council, the number of people applying for these programs was up 13% last fall. (stfrancislaw.com)
- The median annual salary for lawyers in 2016 was $118,160, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (rasmussen.edu)
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for lawyers in 2020 was $126,930. (stfrancislaw.com)
- Though the BLS predicts that growth in employment for lawyers will continue at six percent through 2024, that growth may not be enough to provide jobs for all graduating law school students. (rasmussen.edu)
External Links
How To
How to be a lawyer
How to become a lawyer? If you're thinking of becoming a lawyer, it is important to determine what kind law you would like to practice. There are many types of law. These include criminal, family, corporate, and real estate. You need to learn a specific area of the law if you are interested in becoming a specialist in that type of law. For example, if your goal is to become a specialist on family law, then you must complete Family law courses at the university. You will also need to pass exams. You will learn how to handle cases in this field. These tests will allow you to apply for admission into a school that offers training in this field. This is a long process so ensure you have a clear goal to become a lawyer.
A law major can be another way to become an attorney. In this scenario, you will get a bachelor's level in law. You can then start your career as a paralegal/legal assistant. A paralegal assists lawyers with their documents and files. He/she collects client data, prepares contracts, drafts court papers, and makes copies. An administrative task such as answering phones or filing papers is performed by a legal secretary. It's a rewarding career that many people choose after they graduate college. But, you don't need to go to school to become an attorney. Some people decide to become a lawyer without any formal education. They simply read articles and books about the law and attempt to learn how to be a lawyer. It is not easy for someone to become lawyer without attending college. Most states require applicants to hold a law license. Also, most judges prefer candidates who have graduated from law school.
If you aren’t sure what kind of law to choose, it is time to think about your interests. Do you like helping others? Are you interested in politics or helping others? You might be more interested in politics than you are in arguing against them. No matter your interests, you can use them to become a legal professional.
A law firm is another way to become a lawyer. Many lawyers choose to work in a law office because they are passionate about what they do. They love arguing cases and helping people. However, you might not want to spend your whole life doing work you hate. You could start your own business instead of joining a legal firm. You may be able even to hire someone to help you. You can still help people in any way you choose.
You don't need to graduate from college to become a legal professional. Either enroll in an accredited online law school, or you can earn an associate's degree. Both options will give you enough knowledge to become a lawyer. Online law schools are flexible and offer classes that can be adapted to your busy schedule. An associate's degree allows you to gain more practical experience.
It doesn't matter if you want to be a lawyer, but you should be ready to put in a lot of work. It will be necessary to study daily, take exams, complete internships, and pass exams. Although it might not be something you enjoy, you will eventually discover the many benefits of becoming an attorney.